Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Patrik Pluchino’s research lies at the critical intersection of human factors, collaborative robotics, and the aging workforce, shaping how Industry 5.0 integrates technology with human well-being. His most influential work, a 2022 review on human factors in the cobot era (144 citations), established a foundational framework for designing production systems that prioritize operator safety and efficiency. Pluchino is particularly known for his pioneering studies on senior workers’ interactions with collaborative robots (cobots), revealing that age-related differences in subjective experience and mental workload are key to successful human-robot collaboration. Using advanced tools like eye-tracking and cardiac activity monitoring, he has quantified the cognitive demands of assembly tasks, demonstrating that adaptive workstations can mitigate stress for older operators. His work extends beyond manufacturing to educational robotics, where he explored how robots impact students’ self-concept and learning beliefs. Pluchino’s contributions are vital for creating inclusive, human-centered automation—ensuring that technological progress does not leave behind the aging workforce. His research has been published in leading ergonomics and human-robot interaction venues, and his findings are increasingly cited by engineers and policymakers designing the factories of the future.